JR Sparrow flies solo this week to break down the growing cinematic universe built around bestselling author Colleen Hoover — aka the "CoHo Movie Universe." With over 26 books and a built-in audience supercharged by BookTok, Hoover's work has attracted major Hollywood studios including Sony, Paramount, Universal, and Amazon MGM.

In this episode:

• How TikTok's BookTok community turned Colleen Hoover into a publishing phenomenon — and made her irresistible to Hollywood
• A rundown of the four CoHo films: It Ends With Us, Regretting You, Reminders of Him, and the upcoming Verity
• Box office breakdown: It Ends With Us ($35M), Regretting You ($90M), Reminders of Him ($88M on a $25M budget)
• Why critics gave Reminders of Him mixed reviews — and why JR disagrees
• JR's personal ranking of the CoHo films and why Reminders of Him might be the best entry point for new viewers
• What Colleen Hoover's hands-on involvement means for the franchise's future

JR's Take: Reminders of Him tells a grounded, realistic story about redemption, community, and second chances — themes that resonate far beyond the romance genre. Don't let the critic scores fool you.

Subscribe & Listen: 🎙️ Search Sparrows UnderReview Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. New episodes dropping regularly — don't miss Stacey's return next week.

Stacey and Jr. Sparrow sit down with King Jerm to review a 2026 thriller directed by Sam Raimi, starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien. Jr. calls it his top film of the first quarter of 2026 — a suspenseful, twist-filled ride that kept him on the edge of his seat. Stacey came in for Rachel McAdams and left with a lot to say about the film's morally complex lead character.

What We Cover:

• First impressions and why this film was on Jr.'s radar early
• Sam Raimi's filmography and how this film compares to his usual style (think Evil Dead, Drag Me to Hell, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness)
• Stacey's "you go, girl" reaction to the main character's big reveal
• The moment Stacey says the character went too far — and what she would have done differently
• The subtle clues you might miss on a first watch (and why Jr. wants to rewatch it)
• Comparisons to M. Night Shyamalan's Old and other suspense films from recent years

By the Numbers:

• Budget: $40 million
• Box Office: $90.4 million
• Rotten Tomatoes: 93% positive
• Metacritic: 75/100
• CinemaScore: B+

The Verdict: A well-earned B+ in the hosts' book — with Jr. ready to rewatch for hidden clues and Stacey impressed by the lead's calculated, survivor-mentality performance.

Episode Summary

In this episode of Sparrows Under Review, Jr and Stacey complete their trilogy review with The Strangers: Chapter 3. After loving Chapter 1, being disappointed by Chapter 2, they discuss whether the final installment delivers a satisfying conclusion—or leaves them wanting more.

📽️ The Trilogy Experience

• All three films were shot in 2022 as one production, then released over multiple years
• Chapter 1: 2024 release, grossed $48M
• Chapter 2: 2025 release, grossed $22M
• Chapter 3: Released January 15th, grossed only $9.2M
• Production budget: ~$8.5M for all three films combined

🎬 Chapter 3 Breakdown

• Maya is the sole survivor from previous chapters
• One of the Strangers has been killed
• The sheriff's backstory is revealed
• Ending is divisive: provides closure on the history but execution was disappointing

⭐ Final Verdict

• Jr's Rating: 100% dumpster juice as a standalone film
• Recommendation: Watch all three movies as a trilogy in one sitting (4.5-5 hours total)
• Certified as a "Sparrow Under Review trilogy" - enshrined in the show's legacy
• Not recommended as a standalone watch

💡 Viewer Challenge What would you change about the ending to make it better? Let us know in the comments!

Key Discussion Points

📽️ The Trilogy Experience

• All three films were shot in 2022 as one production, then released over multiple years
• Chapter 1: 2024 release, grossed $48M
• Chapter 2: 2025 release, grossed $22M
• Chapter 3: Released January 15th, grossed only $9.2M
• Production budget: ~$8.5M for all three films combined

🎬 Chapter 3 Breakdown

• Maya is the sole survivor from previous chapters
• One of the Strangers has been killed
• The sheriff's backstory is revealed
• Ending is divisive: provides closure on the history but execution was disappointing

⭐ Final Verdict

• Jr's Rating: 100% dumpster juice as a standalone film
• Recommendation: Watch all three movies as a trilogy in one sitting (4.5-5 hours total)
• Certified as a "Sparrow Under Review trilogy" - enshrined in the show's legacy
• Not recommended as a standalone watch

💡 Viewer Challenge What would you change about the ending to make it better? Let us know in the comments!